The tech behind the controller is interesting, however my main concerns with the controller is how comfortable will using the controller be and if the screen resolution on the controller is as good as they are saying, what effect this will have on the battery life. Though we probably won't find this out until the console is released and we can have a go of it ourselves.

On a positive note I think having a touch screen on the controller may allow for a better control system for RTS games on a console, something that has plagued console RTSs is the limited practicality of using a controller.

I wish nintendo would just go into being a publisher and dev. They do that very well and all but their consoles are never as good. The controller cost will be huge and it will only last until the PS4/ xbox the 3rd come out.

Nintendo had a shot when they were able to well under cut the ps3 and 360 while still giving motion controll, but now they are going to lose a chunk of install base in the shuffle.

expect a price drop on the ps3 and 360, along with move and kinect , just before this thing comes out so as to basically it in the womb.

With (apparently) 1080p graphics, maybe third party support from beig names will start taking nintendo seriously now. Apparently metro is coming to the wii u (which i am now officially calling the nintendo new thing, to save myself some embarassment when talking about it), so playing that should be pretty cool on the hand held.

In absolue honesty, i'm probably going to buy it for NON nintendo games, and play it constantly on the controller screen. The idea of playing high deff AAA games ANYWHERE is a pretty cool notion to me. But i honestly cannot see the point of using it with the TV. I think nintendo should have marketed it as a strange sort of handheld, not so much a controller.

But yeah, so long as third party is as good as they say it is, and the graphics actually ARE just as good as xbox 360, i will most likely buy it.

My feeling about this: they made a console that does what the Wii should have had at launch. The stupid "iPad-esque" will be treated like a gimmick, and that will not change. To me, Nintendo just doesnt have any more cool new ideas. RIP Nintendo.

I have faith that Nintendo knows what their doing, they wouldnt spend 3 years on a console concept that they honestly didnt have any real plans for to make it succeed would they? Im sure they have something up their sleeves

You're quoting Vita prices. There is AFAIK no price for the Wii, although Reggie did state (on a GameTrailer interview, AFAIK) they're aiming for a similar price that the 360 and the PS3 is selling at (so about $200).

This thread is a fine example of why Nintendo's stock is down. Misinformation is everywhere (aside from pricing, another misconception is that it's graphics capabilities are just at the 360 levels. From what I've seen and heard, that's bollocks: it's far more powerful, although that's not saying much these days).

I maintain that they are marketing this all wrong. People don't WANT the Wii2. People want something new. That's what Nintendo does........umm, I mean for the hardware side. They perfect new technologies and turn them into gaming status qua.

Which, don't get me wrong, is ABSOLUTELY what the WiiU is doing. I think it's a WONDERFUL peice of tech with tons of potential. But people don't see that. People see a fancy Wii peripheral (same color scheme, big N. Really?) and they instantly think "GIMMICK", which this isn't. In any way.

If Nintendo does something like a normal controller, people will bitch how Nintendo isn't innovation at all. If they are innovative, people bitch how they never do "normal" stuff. And for those who say "do the innovation right", that's not how it works. Innovation is made by trial and error. if you don't try, you can't innovate. When you innovate, there is always a big possibility that you will fail. But that only means that ANY innovation is better than non.

Well, Nintendo owns you all and there's nothing you can do.Muahahahaha.... *cough* *cough*

Now seriously, I like the console.It's great. I hope it won't be overpriced, but Satoru Iwata said it won't be cheap. (source)

Also, the controller won't be for sell. You will get one and that's it. (source)WiiU won't support GameCube games.(source)

Also, the name of the console is great and fits the concept.We - You.When you play solo, it's the "you" part. You play on the table. since there is only one such controller (read above), it's only for YOU. When you play with friends, it's the We part, you play with the Wii (We) remote. I like the wordplay. ^^

EDIT:And some more info about the actually console. Not much but any information is better than non.Link

So Yahtzee was actually right in that Extra Consideration column saying that Nintendo will make Microsoft and Sony a laughing stock by abandoning the prioritization of movement controls and replacing them with a powerful console with a quite interesting dual screen feature.

Nokterne:What's wrong with a NORMAL controller? The gamecube controller is still the best input device they've made.

What's wrong with a console that can use any control mechanic? They have a normal controller--all Wii peripherals will work with the Wii U, so the classic controller is still around (hopefully they'll make a new model that is basically a gamecube controller with a fourth shoulder button), but they've also got the wii remote and the new controller. With the USB ports, there's also the possibility for keyboard and mouse, but I doubt many--if any--developers will actually think of that. This console is literally capable of using any type of control (well....except for kinect-style motion controllers, I guess). Why should we limit ourselves to simple gamepads?

Edit: And for anyone confused about the console (which is easy. People jumped to conclusions before we knew everything, which led to a lot of misinformation), Mr. BiH-Kira got it right.

BiH-Kira:If Nintendo does something like a normal controller, people will bitch how Nintendo isn't innovation at all. If they are innovative, people bitch how they never do "normal" stuff. And for those who say "do the innovation right", that's not how it works. Innovation is made by trial and error. if you don't try, you can't innovate. When you innovate, there is always a big possibility that you will fail. But that only means that ANY innovation is better than non.

Well, Nintendo owns you all and there's nothing you can do.Muahahahaha.... *cough* *cough*

Now seriously, I like the console.It's great. I hope it won't be overpriced, but Satoru Iwata said it won't be cheap. (source)

Also, the controller won't be for sell. You will get one and that's it. (source)WiiU won't support GameCube games.(source)

Also, the name of the console is great and fits the concept.We - You.When you play solo, it's the "you" part. You play on the table. since there is only one such controller (read above), it's only for YOU. When you play with friends, it's the We part, you play with the Wii (We) remote. I like the wordplay. ^^

EDIT:And some more info about the actually console. Not much but any information is better than non.Link

mik1:Judging by the look of the controller and what it does it will be very expensive. Also streaming the game on multiple controllers will result in a very expensive console. I think they should just make controllers without the screen but can perform the functions its required to.

My solution to the one controller problem.

It does look cool though. And after seeing all that stuff about 3ds I've decided to break down and buy one.

You win again nintendo.

Actually, they already did that.

For better or worse, you only get one touchscreen controller. Otherwise, all other players use Wii controllers.(Which includes the classic controller - something with pretty much the same button layout)

Nokterne:What's wrong with a NORMAL controller? The gamecube controller is still the best input device they've made.

What's wrong with a console that can use any control mechanic? They have a normal controller--all Wii peripherals will work with the Wii U, so the classic controller is still around (hopefully they'll make a new model that is basically a gamecube controller with a fourth shoulder button), but they've also got the wii remote and the new controller. With the USB ports, there's also the possibility for keyboard and mouse, but I doubt many--if any--developers will actually think of that. This console is literally capable of using any type of control (well....except for kinect-style motion controllers, I guess). Why should we limit ourselves to simple gamepads?

Edit: And for anyone confused about the console (which is easy. People jumped to conclusions before we knew everything, which led to a lot of misinformation), Mr. BiH-Kira got it right.

Actually, they could in theory do kinect style controls too. (patent issues notwithstanding.)

If you look at how kinect sensors attach to an Xbox, they're basically using USB to do it. (As is the PS3 camera. - Actually, Ubisoft created a Wii camera attachment.)

Actually, depending on the amount of CPU time devoted to image processing, you could mimic some of the kinect functionality simply because the touchscreen controller contains a camera...

Edit: Wow. I'm really over-using the word actually here. Might want to keep an eye on that in future. XD

Nokterne:What's wrong with a NORMAL controller? The gamecube controller is still the best input device they've made.

What's wrong with a console that can use any control mechanic? They have a normal controller--all Wii peripherals will work with the Wii U, so the classic controller is still around (hopefully they'll make a new model that is basically a gamecube controller with a fourth shoulder button), but they've also got the wii remote and the new controller. With the USB ports, there's also the possibility for keyboard and mouse, but I doubt many--if any--developers will actually think of that. This console is literally capable of using any type of control (well....except for kinect-style motion controllers, I guess). Why should we limit ourselves to simple gamepads?

Edit: And for anyone confused about the console (which is easy. People jumped to conclusions before we knew everything, which led to a lot of misinformation), Mr. BiH-Kira got it right.

Actually, they could in theory do kinect style controls too. (patent issues notwithstanding.)

If you look at how kinect sensors attach to an Xbox, they're basically using USB to do it. (As is the PS3 camera. - Actually, Ubisoft created a Wii camera attachment.)

Actually, depending on the amount of CPU time devoted to image processing, you could mimic some of the kinect functionality simply because the touchscreen controller contains a camera...

Edit: Wow. I'm really over-using the word actually here. Might want to keep an eye on that in future. XD

Hmm, that is interesting. Of course, I only know of one well-received Kinect game that wouldn't work with other controllers. I doubt they'd want to include a camera controller for one type of game that can use it well.

I hope Microsoft proves me wrong and releases a ton of great games that could only work with Kinect, but I just don't see that happening.

Edit: I wonder...Wii U Controller stand peripheral. Set the controller in front of your TV for instant-Kinect. Could it happen? Probably not...I'm sure the Kinect has a much more advanced camera, but still...interesting possibility.

coolkirb:hmmm sounds like the console has a lot of potential, I just wish the words hardcore, casual, and gimmick would stop being used, it as much of a gimmack as the xbox360 simply haveing better graphics then the xbox can be called a gimmick

You know the idea of having a second screen for additional date and especially for a map is something I really like the sound of. But Ill be honest and say I would be happy with just that.

What about a totally separate touch pad that you could put on your lap that would show additional data.

I know that it makes it sound like why have it on its lonesome instead of built into the remote, but that WiiU mote looks very uncomfortable to me. Hey perhaps im wrong. But I like my controllers to be urm... controllers.

The Artificially Prolonged:The tech behind the controller is interesting, however my main concerns with the controller is how comfortable will using the controller be and if the screen resolution on the controller is as good as they are saying, what effect this will have on the battery life. Though we probably won't find this out until the console is released and we can have a go of it ourselves.

On a positive note I think having a touch screen on the controller may allow for a better control system for RTS games on a console, something that has plagued console RTSs is the limited practicality of using a controller.

According to some articles the controllers fairly comfortable once you adjust, don't know about the battery life though.

I've said it before an i'll say it again: they should have called it the Puu. Number one was a wii; number two is a puu. Makes perfect sense. Seriously, who cares about names when it's the games that matter, right? surely we're not all that shallow that a stoopid name will hinder the sales of a good product. right?

OT: That controller looks very unwieldy. It still does motion control as i recall, that just seems impractical, waving that thing around like swatting a fly with a magazine... or a telephone guide. I won't be getting this, but then i didn't enjoy my (admittedly sparse) wii experiences.

I'm still amazed that someone actually got a paycheck for designing that TV dinner-sized controller.

Chronologist:I don't know about other people, but when I play video games I get in the zone. Everything else just fades away, and I don't even feel the controller anymore, it's like an extension of my body.

Then Nintendo decided to make a console that continuously breaks this sense of immersion every 3 seconds by having to look away from the screen to check your map or swing your weapon or whatever.

And this right here, too. Even if it is only once every five minutes, you're breaking the on-screen link with the game by having to look at your controller.

Casual Shinji:I'm still amazed that someone actually got a paycheck for designing that TV dinner-sized controller.

Chronologist:I don't know about other people, but when I play video games I get in the zone. Everything else just fades away, and I don't even feel the controller anymore, it's like an extension of my body.

Then Nintendo decided to make a console that continuously breaks this sense of immersion every 3 seconds by having to look away from the screen to check your map or swing your weapon or whatever.

And this right here, too. Even if it is only once every five minutes, you're breaking the on-screen link with the game by having to look at your controller.

Yes, someone for being creative got a pay check. If it was so obvious to do that, Nintendo wouldn't be the first one who made it this way.

Second, it won't break the on-screen link if done right. You can easily look for a second or to away from the main screen to the joypad without breaking the link. You're not retarded, you can remember that you will go into a wall in the next second. Also, looking at the minimap can be easily done while you're running forward. It will break the immersion less then pressing 'start' to switch items and use them would. Also, I don't know a single game where you have to look at the minimap during a fight so that it will distract you.

Also, most people have good enough hand coordination that they can remember the distance from one button to another and press it even on the touchscreen without any problems while NOT looking at the screen. I used an iPhone for 2 days and at the and I could unlock it, open messages, write a full message and send it to a number in my address book without looking at the screen for even once. People adopt to situations, especially situations that happen a lot. If you play a game for a hour or two, you will easily get used to do some basic stuff on the controller screen wthout looking. That is as long as the game developer did a good job. So it won't be Nintendo's fault that developers can't do things right.

As everything else, this concept has it's downsides, but if done well the good sides will heavily outweigh the bad sides. This new joypad allows so many new types of games that would be completely impossible with the old one, jet people ditch it without giving it a second though what great stuff could be done with just a bit creativity.

It is nice that someone is pushing things forward again. The current 3 consoles are getting a little stale to be honest.

Sony gave us better storage media 2 gen ago. Xbox brought us online last gen. Nintendo added motion controls this gen. Although I'm not sure touch screen controls are the next big thing, I'm excited to find out what is.

I do agree the name sucks, otherwise the concept has me intrigued, a system with FULL backwards-compatibility with the Wii and a proper controller with a giant touch-screen, that's actually a rather brilliant concept, I'm by no means a Nintendo fanboy (My Wii us currently collecting dust in my living room, haven't touched it in ages except to play the original Tales of Symphonia) but I think this has potential. Will it be something that changes the console landscape forever, Unlikely, but it will have me playing the console for the games and not just as 250 dollar SNES/NES emulator. As for appealing to the "Hardcore", I am a hardcore gamer (I spend a good chunk of my time playing my consoles) and I follow all the news and this has me interested, again I'm not going to sit here and go "Sony/Microsoft your days are numbered...", but I will keep an eye on what goes on with the system.

I watched the Zelda trailer. My jaw hit the floor. Seriously, if those are the kind of visuals the WiiU can pump out, Nintendo will never need to release another console, ever. That footage of Link and the giant Spider looked so crisp, so full of detail, and so beautifully rendered that it could easily have been CG. Which (conspiracy theories ahoy!) maybe it was. But I doubt it. The rumours have been saying for a while that the WiiU will be significantly more powerful than either of the main current consoles. If Nintendo can release a Zelda game with that level of graphical awesomness, I'll believe them.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the people who've been coming up with the concept for 3 years and know the ergonomics and have had hundreds of tests run on the controller know more about how easy it is to hold and how hard it is to refocus than any of you who have only seen a picture of the controller on the internet